We are home from the arduous journey to the V-E-T and won Bingo when Dakota was given a B9 by Dr. Russell. The lump near his rib cage was aspirated and examined but even before doing that, Dr. Russell said "I know exactly what this is." Just a big ol' lipoma that is growing. It may stop, it may grow, it may take turns. But at least we know what it is now.

The loss of appetite and unwillingness to stand up to eat is a bit more troubling. Or at least still an unknown. Dr. Russell recommended we do a blood screening panel (especially since it's been almost a year since surgery). Dakota looked at me and said, "You didn't have any plans for that money, right?" and I said "of course not D, it's all yours." Dr. Russell is off till Tuesday so I won't hear from him till next week unless the blood turns up something horrible.

I'm off to the store shortly to lay in a supply of canned food. I'll see if mixing in a little with the dry might get him interested. I guess fancy schmancy grain-free turkey and sweet potato just isn't blowing his skirt up anymore.

Some other interesting tidbits from the visit:

Dr. Russell told me he was so happy D didn't have OSA since most dogs don't make it a year, and I told him about Nova going strong at 38 months. He couldn't believe it and asked me where this Nova lives. I told him "Michigan, I think" and he said "ah, that explains it. I'm from Michigan and good things happen there." I was amused.

He also told me Dakota is a very unusual dog because he had so many oddball issues (dental enamel hypoplasia, sarcoptic mange, allergic to Ivermectin). He said vets rarely see those issues in this day and age. I took that to mean Dr. R's been lucky and spent most of his career treating well-loved pets and not victims of abuse and neglect. Dr. R also asked me (he asks every visit) if I'm absolutely sure that D doesn't chew on tennis balls, since Dakota's teeth are worn down to half their size in some places. It's just evidence of the nastiness that hypoplasia can cause. (Dakota has never put a ball into his mouth, tennis or otherwise.)

So hopefully I won't hear anything till next week, which will be a good thing. Next time we play Bingo, I hope we win again with a B9.

Shari

Breathing a BIG sigh of relief!!!   So happy to hear it was just a dumb old lipoma. 

As for D's eating habits, maybe if you mixed in a little homemade stuff, like maybe some salmon.  We would feed that to Max every once in a while, and he loved it!  John and I don't even eat fish, so when we cooked it, it made our house stink!!  But, we do everything for our pups, right?  Also, Max loved sardines!  Talk about nasty.  Mix a couple of those in with his meal, and I'll bet he changes his ways!!

Rumbles teeth aren't what they used to be either, so I mix 1/3 can of canned food in with his crunchies. Softens it up just enough for him.

For a long time I've put chicken broth on Dakota's food, but that quit doing the trick last week. I may try the sardines, if I can air out the house. He does like the water drained from a can of tuna. And Karen, it may indeed be poor circulation. I will check into that right away

So, so, so glad to hear you won bingo!!! I've been checking back all day to see how you were doing.

With the sardines, make sure you get the no salt added kind! (And I just have to ask this: Does anybody ever buy the sardines in mustard sauce or those other flavors of sardines??? I can't imagine eating sardines at all, let alone smothered in some crazy sauce.) My girls also like the chub mackerel. It stinks to high heaven, but you know how it is with these dogs. I've also given them scrambled or chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra protein sources, too. (The girls prefer their eggs with cheese on top!) Ground chicken, turkey or beef are also a great mix-in for peoples who's teeth are worn down to nubs.

Or just get Jackie to Fed-Ex you a Flying Dutchman — I'll bet even picky ol' Dakota would snarf that down.

Yay!!! thats great news all those crossed paws and B9 chants worked :-)

Hope you hear nothing from the vet about the blood test too.

Sarah and Kayla